Health headlines

Doctors may push caesareans
THE increase in births by caesarean section is not a function of the “too posh to push” brigade, according to new research from the University of Queensland. The researchers surveyed more than 22 000 Queensland women, and found that the choice for caesarean birth was largely driven by the recommendations of doctors. About half the women reported making an informed decision about having a planned caesarean. The rate of caesarean birth in Queensland is now 34% compared with 19.5% in 1989. The research was reported by news.com.au.

Meningitis B vaccine works
A RANDOMISED controlled trial published in The Lancet has found evidence that a four-component vaccine provides protection against meningococcus B, which remains a major cause of severe invasive disease in infants and adolescents worldwide. No serious vaccine-related adverse events were reported in the study of 1631 Chilean adolescents. The study was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Antidepressants increase falls
NURSING home residents with dementia on higher doses of antidepressants are three times more likely to hurt themselves in a fall compared with residents who don’t use these drugs, according to research in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The study, which monitored medication use and falls in 248 nursing home residents over 2 years, found that even at low doses selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of falls. The research was reported by BBC News.

Fragile X test
MELBOURNE researchers have developed a diagnostic test to predict whether females born with mutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene are liable to develop cognitive impairment. The research, published in Clinical Chemistry, identified a biomarker in women with the mutation that could be used for improved diagnostics in young children and screening of newborns. The research was reported by The Age.

Rehydrate and smile
MILD dehydration is associated with low mood, increased perception of task difficulty, lower concentration and headache symptoms, according to a small study published in the Journal of Nutrition. The ill effects were experienced at just 1.36% dehydration in the 25 women studied. The research was reported in Time.